Pretty 1 - Practical 0
This is a another little pre-Christmas quickie that I dashed off the hook in a matter of days. They were a pleasure to make and very cute and pretty they look too I think.
The pattern is from a Japanese crochet book called Cute Knit Accessories with Scrap Yarn.
If you are interested in buying and are not from Japan, I'd highly recommend asking the lovely lady at Pompadour's Craft Cafe if she has a copy. (That's where I get my Japanese books from.)
These are the 'Room Slippers' and I've had my eye on them since I bought the book a few moons ago.
I think, from what I can gather, the is pattern supposed to be made from 4ply yarn. I had some aran cotton I wanted to use up, so I made the child's size and hoped for the best. I used a smaller hook to make the cotton nice and tight and pleasingly, it worked like a dream. These cute little slippers fit like a glove.
But all is not roses in this little tale of mine, because before very much wearing at all, my cute little foot warmers were much stretched and mis-shappen. They have grown large and baggy. Technically, they still stay on my feet, the cute little ties included as part of the pattern do that job but it's not a satisfactory experience wearing these floppy things. Not at all.
I can't help but feel it's not a lost cause though. Maybe if I used a different pattern? Maybe if I used wool instead of cotton, a different yarn or a different weight? Maybe only felted slippers work?
I can't help thinking they are too adorable to give up on.
♥♥♥
If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them...
Have you made a pair of crochet slippers that are lovely and cozy and still nicely shapely?
Any patterns you've tried with success? Any ideas on the best materials to use?
Any slipper wisdom gratefully received!
S x
super adorable and cute they are, for sure! What a bummer they went all sloppy. I am sorry, I am as useless as sloppy slippers when it comes to this. Have never made them before and all I can think of is make them significantly smaller next time? Or put a little cotton fabric lining in so the yarn is not getting any chance to wear out? I know this works for bags. Or, you could make them with wool yarn, make them larger and felt them. Felt shouldn't wear out as much. It does give a total different look though. Lots of possibilities! But again, none are of my own experience with crochet slippers. They are tempting though…
ReplyDeleteCurious to hear what you decided to do!
xo
Maaike
Oh Sandra, they're beautiful and I completely see why you cannot abandon them ! I think you're right in maybe trying another yarn type, cotton does have a bit of a habit of going baggy doesn't it ? I hope you find a solution.
ReplyDeleteKate
I would hazard a guess that you're always going to get some stretch with treble crochet. Could you perhaps adapt the pattern and try making them using double crochet?
ReplyDeleteSad they've gone all 'sloopy' though, they're exquisite!
Heather xx
What adorable slippers and what a shame they have stretched so much. I know that cotton does have a tendency to getting out of shape. What about trying another yarn. The only slippers I have ever made were knitted and in 2 strands of acrylic. They wore quite well without the stretching. Good luck with another yarn!
ReplyDeleteOh Sandra......too cute!!!
ReplyDeleteSx
Sandra your slippers are gorgeous and far too pretty not to solve your problem which I recognise and is difficult to avoid as the natural stretch in wool or cotton does just that over time. My best solution which I've found has worked really well is to stitch (colour-coordinated of course!) thread elastic along the top edge and tighten sufficiently to give the required grip to ensure the slippers stay put! The slippers I've made have all been out of 100% wool and hand washing them every so often also helps as they shrink back a bit naturally but my tried and tested suggestion is the that elastic method. With yours I think I'd run it through the darker turquoise border and it will just reinforce the effect of the ties. No one will notice and in fact everyone will think the ties are just doing their job! Hope this works for you! E x
ReplyDeleteI have no slippered wisdom sorry :( but my, my, my, what beautiful, cute little slippers and they look so sweet poking out from your jeans.
ReplyDeleteSally xxx
Ps I use the thread elastic double thickness for strength! E x
ReplyDeleteI have made the St. Patty slapper crochet slippers from you tube but they do need an insole,but the best ones I have made are a pair of knitted slippers(don`t know if you knit) non felted slippers by Yuko Nakamura on ravelry are very easy and keep their shape,I used chunky 100% wool.
ReplyDeleteThey are so pretty; what a shame they stretched. Would it help if you crocheted them looser so that the spaces between stitches took up the stretch when you walk?
ReplyDeleteNone of my slipper attempts seem to work either! They are so cute in all the pictures I see. But once I try them, they either hurt the bottom of my feet or don't stay on. I hope you figure out how to make these work because they are darling!
ReplyDeletethese are so lovely - I do hope you find a way to rescue them
ReplyDeleteThey are super cute - the only thing I could suggest would be making them in a smaller size!
ReplyDeleteAwwww so pretty. I have made slippers for my mother-in-law with a crocodile stitch cuff. She has not worn them loads because she needs to wear slippers outside a lot but she has had them over a year and so far so good. I used a super soft acrylic yarn as it washes well and should keep shape. Also crocheted up in uk dc not tr so perhaps that helps. Is there a yarn suggestion with the pattern?
ReplyDeleteCotton is awful for stretching out and there is nothing to be done for it that I've ever found. You can run it through the dryer on high to shrink it a little bit, but it will still stretch out over time. Wool is best for slippers - even the acrylic blends don't seem to fare all that well, getting pilled and mashed flat over time.
ReplyDeleteADORABLE!! I sure hope you find a solution to them being stretched out!
ReplyDeletexx Shari
These are the sweetest slippers I've ever seen. I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteAhh, I have no slipper advice to share unfortunately but they are very very cute! I have seen a lot of felted slippers around though, maybe they are least prone to stretching? I do hope your adorable slippers can be saved! xxxx
ReplyDeleteGosh those are darling, shame they stretched! Barring putting some elastic round the top, I'd either hang them on a hook as a sweet decoration, or pop two plant pots in them and grow some winter bulbs in style! Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteSandra, they are simply adorable!!! I LOve love love them and I can see why you cannot get rid of them despite being huge now ... I have no idea what yarn to use to make it not stretch so much the next time but indeed cotton tends to stretch always a bit. If you cannot wear them have them as a decoration, they are just so so so lovely!
ReplyDelete:-) hugs, Jitka
Oh dear, they look so lovely and such pretty colours, it is a shame that they have gone out of shape. Would washing them them help at all? Sorry I don't have more experience to be able to give any advice. I hope that if you make them again they work out better for you. xx
ReplyDeleteThey are adorable; I'm sorry they didn't wear well. The only slippers I've ever made are the slipper socks from http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/slisoc.html. These are wonderfully sturdy; I've made a lot for gifts and have a pair that I wear every day. After two years and a hundred washes, they still look and feel great. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOh, looks so sweet!
ReplyDeleteThose are so adorable.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
They are so gorgeous.x
ReplyDeletehttp://summerhousebythesea.blogspot.co.uk
What a shame they stretched when they are so cute. I've not made slippers, but a few pairs of socks, which I wear as slippers. My most successful ones, I used an alpaca yarn, aran weight - they wash well, and hold their shape and stay on my feet and are so wonderfully warm. In fact I am wearing them now! But nothing like as pretty as these.
ReplyDeleteThey are utterly adorable. So sorry they went sloppy for you. I have no advice, but those are darling slippers.
ReplyDeleteThey are so cute! I don't know how to solve the stretching problem either. I made a pair of crochet shoes for my daughter out of a cotton blend yarn and they stretched too, sad, I know.
ReplyDeletereally cute!!! I have the same book, too!!!! In Japanese!!!! ;oD
ReplyDeletexxxxx Ale
I blame the cotton - it stretches and has no elasticity. Try again, with some nice springy superwash merino, maybe? It should then spring back when it's been washed.
ReplyDeleteI had the same experience with cotton and decided after two somewhat failed attempts I decided it had to be the cotton. On the second pair I used smaller hook, SC instead of DC but still stretched out but my niece that I made bother pairs just keeps washing them and drying them in dryer. I plan to make her another pair in something besides cotton but don't know what yet. I have never tried felting but thinking this might be the way to go.
ReplyDeleteSandra, those are so adorable with the little flowers and leaves on them. I would like to make them and leave them on a stool beside the bed, just because they are so pretty. I've made slippers many moons ago, and had the same problem, but I am afraid I don't have any good answers for you. Good luck, and let us know if you find a solution. Love your blog. xxoo JO
ReplyDeleteI love colours - so pretty! I have made myself a few pairs of Mary Jane type slippers, but I have had to alter the pattern so many times I don't think I could properly give you a useable pattern. On my last pair I crocheted a few more rows with a few decreases around the back from ankle bone to ankle bone, and it seems to help them stay on my feet better. After a while they do get a bit floppy so I throw them in the washing machine and they get nice and snug again. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteJenn @Jenn'sCraftyWorld
So so gorgeous!! such pretty slippers! I know not a solution - all the slippers I buy from Tescos go sloppy and they drop off my feet when I walk up stairs. I hope you manage to find a solution as they really are the prettiest slippers ever, Sam xx
ReplyDeleteSandra, thanks so much for the link! I've been looking for somewhere to purchase Japanese crochet books so this is awesome! I love those slippers and the colorway you work in always gets my attention :D Turquoise and aqua and red are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteHugs
P.S. I moved blogs and am now at http://elisabetpollockstudio.wordpress.com Hope you'll follow me at my new home ! :D
They're beautiful. I love them and so want to make a pair for my grand daughter.
ReplyDeleteThose are incredibly cute! Makes me wish I could crochet :)
ReplyDeleteJulie
I was given a pair of crocheted slipper last Christmas, made by a crocheting wizard in Austria. Mine are quite tightly done but along with the wool she worked with what looks to be a strand of crochet cotton. There is no stretch to that and i can report that my slipper still fit nicely. Maybe try that.
ReplyDelete